The Kennewick Stake Relief Society Conference “Anchor of My
Soul” provided an opportunity for women of all ages to gather together and
strengthen one another spiritually through service projects, enriching classes,
and a delicious luncheon.
The day began with an opening program in the chapel, and
included uplifting addresses by Kennewick Stake President, Richard Meyer, and Stake
Relief Society President, Patty Kessie.
President Meyer, who served as a U.S. Marine, spoke of the “small and
simple things” we must do to build and strengthen the links that hold us
securely to our anchor, Jesus Christ. He
encouraged those who attended the conference to ask themselves, “How strong are
my links?” Sister Kessie spoke about the
choices we make which keep us anchored.
She spoke of the importance of wisely choosing how we use our time, and
being aware of distractions, even the good ones, which keep us from choosing
the most essential things. “This
conference is a beacon,” to help us set our anchors securely in the best of
times as well as in times of trial, Sister Kessie said. Vocalist Becca Wright performed a beautiful
solo during the opening program. The
title of the song was Anchor of My
Soul. Becca was accompanied by pianist
Tristy Hagadorn.
The morning of the conference was filled with opportunities
to attend classes or participate in the “Rescue Project”: a large-scale service
project organized by a committee of women throughout the stake. The service project benefited charitable
organizations and retirement centers within our community. More than 3,000 usable items were donated and
assembled into hygiene kits and water kits during the conference. In addition,
more than 100 hats and scarves were knitted, five quilts were tied, and nearly
250 rice bags were assembled.
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| Project Rescue service project |
The seven 50-minute classes offered in the morning included
the following: Making Your Home the New
MTC/Family History Center, instructed by Barb Stapleton and Tami Smith; Organizing Your Homes and Your Time, by
Chris Montierth; Toss the Guilt and Share
the Joy, by Jenne Kissell; Women’s
Health and Wellness, by Anne Koepsell and Marrisa Parsons; The Lord Needs Leaders in the Home, Our Callings,
Communities and Workplace, by Camille Tingey; The Strength of Temple Covenants, by Natalie Teeples; and Improving Communications in the Home and at
Church, by Christopher and Jennifer Childers. These classes were each taught twice.
Following the morning classes, an estimated 230 sisters
attended the luncheon in the cultural hall.
A variety of delicious crock pot soups and homemade rolls were provided
by Relief Society sisters from the wards throughout the stake. The luncheon committee provided salad of spring mix greens, fruit, and nuts at each
place setting, along with a homemade poppy seed vinaigrette. Frosted and decorated cupcakes for dessert doubled
as centerpieces on raised plates on the 30 round tables in the cultural hall.
During the luncheon, prior to dismissing for afternoon
classes, a beautiful musical number was performed by vocalists Rachel Mohlman,
Melanie Crane, and Janarae Blaser, accompanied by pianist Debbie Murri. The medley of Lord, I Would Follow Thee and Love
One Another was arranged by Rachel Mohlman.
Following the luncheon, more wonderful classes were offered.
Each were taught twice. There were seven 50-minute classes to choose from,
including The Amazing Church Website, instructed
by Danielle Kessie Torres; Teaching Children
to Apply Gospel Principles, by Dean and Patrice Moody; When Life Takes a Left Turn: The Lord Is My Strength, by Careina
Brooks; Safeguarding Our Children From
Pornography, by Kristen Jenson; Media:
Unplugged and Tuned In, by Robert and Marianne Orton; The Psychology of Happiness, by Jody McClellan; and Finances – Set Your Houses In Order, by
John and Desiree Wolfgramm. In addition
to the afternoon classes, the Rescue Project continued in the overflow area of
the gym and chapel.
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| Preparing for the luncheon |
Anchor of My Soul
By Jenny Jordon Frogley
Sung by Becca Wright during the Stake RS Conference
All
alone I leave the harbor
So
many oceans to explore.
On my
own I face the darkness
As I
leave behind the safety of the shore.
When
I'm tossed upon the waters.
When
winds of change begin to blow.
His
words of truth I will follow.
The
Savior's hope is the anchor of my soul.
Sailing
on to deeper waters
The
journey starts to take its toll.
And I
am lost amid the battles
That
test my faith and stretch my soul.
When
I'm tossed upon the waters.
When
winds of change begin to blow.
His
words of truth I will follow.
The
Savior's hope is the anchor of my soul.
Voices
of the night
Trying
to tear me from the fight.
But
somewhere deep inside my heart I know
That
when I'm tossed upon the waters.
When
winds of change begin to blow.
His
words of truth I will follow.
The
Savior's hope is the anchor of my soul.
All
alone I leave the harbor.
ANCHOR POEM
We are here to be “buoyed up” to “learn the
ropes”
And we recognize that the gospel is “the port
in the storm.”
“Some days are tougher to sail than others”
& while “we cannot control the wind, we
can direct the sails”
At times we may need to get into “ship shape;”
To call for “all hands on deck;”
to “batten
down the hatches.”
We may need to “make a clean sweep”
by “clearing the deck” & “running a tight
ship”….
because above all…
”WE DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP”.
There will be days we feel we are “scraping
the bottom of the barrel,”
but we have come to know that “a smooth sea
never made a skillful sailor;”
That “the pessimist complains about the wind,
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.”
“And that life’s roughest storms,
prove the
strength of our anchor.”
May we use this conference as a beacon
to
develop our spiritual anchors,
That we may navigate the sea of change in our
lives
& chart a steady course in the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
--By Patty Kessie
